Ramallah –The National Beverage Company Coca-Cola/Cappy (NBC) signed an agreement with the Higher Council for Youth and Sports to sponsor the Eighth International Palestine Marathon, which will kick off under the motto "Freedom of Movement". The signing took place at the Company's headquarters in Ramallah, in the presence of Mr. Imad al-Hindi, the General Manager of the NBC and Esam al-Qaddoumi, the Secretary-General of the Higher Council for Youth and Sports.
In this regard, Mr. Imad al-Hindi, the General Manager of NBC, said that the Company’s sponsorship of the Marathon, which will take place next March, will be through the provision ‘Arwa’ water bottles for the marathon participants. Moreover, this sponsorship comes in support of Palestinian sports and to promote its role among the youth and the society in general. He added that ‘NBC seeks to provide everything to show the best possible image of the Palestinian society to the world’. indicating the company’s endeavor to empower youth and women and to support initiatives and projects which shall enhance the health and sports situation.
Furthermore, Mr. al-Hindi considered that sponsoring this event would strengthen the relations of Palestinian youth with the countries of the world, this is in light of the participation of more than 70 nationalities in the marathon. Also, he stressed the need for the cooperation between public and private sectors for the success of this event and to ensure its sustainability.
Mr. al-Hindi also pointed out that NBC’s sponsorship of the Marathon one of a series of continuous support for the Palestinian sports and the youth sector. The Company annually sponsors a number of sport teams, in addition to furnishing a number of sports facilities to ensure the best possible environment to improve the status of Palestinian sports. The Marathon is intended to contribute to reviving tourism and economic activities in the city of Bethlehem, especially targeting the participation of hundreds of foreigners after a long break in tourist arrivals due to Corona pandemic,” Mr. al-Hindi added.
HE the Minister, Mr. Esam al-Qaddoumi, the Secretary-General of the Higher Council for Youth and Sports, stated that organizing the Marathon for the eighth year in row confirms the position of sports in the Palestinian society, especially in light of the participation of thousands of people in the marathon annually. Highly appreciating the role of the National Beverage Company in supporting this national sporting event, which became an annual Palestinian tradition. Mr. al-Qaddoumi reiterated that the Higher Council for Youth and Sports seeks to organize such major sporting events to ensure the ability of Palestine to host such mass sport events, in addition to emphasizing that the Palestinians are able to overcome the difficult circumstances they live in.
As part of its continuous endeavor to develop the Marathon, the Council intends to organize ‘Expo’ fair in the four days preceding the marathon, which will be held at the President "Putin" Organization in Bethlehem, in which companies sponsoring the event, along with small and emerging youth projects participate to encourage the Palestinian national product and youth initiatives.
The Marathon is scheduled to be launched in Bethlehem on the 18th of next March. The Manger Square will be the starting and ending point for the race, passing through Al-Mahd St., Bilal Bin Rabah Mosque, the Separation Wall and the key of return area in the Aida camp located in the north of the city and the main street (Jerusalem – Hebron) and the Baloua area in al-Khader town and al-Nashash area. Besides, the marathon targets the participation of about ten thousand participants, including 1500 foreign participants from more than 70 nationalities, and the marathon includes four tracks, the 42.5-kilometer race, 21-kilometre race and 10-kilometre race. Furthermore, a fourth track has been added to the marathon with a distance of five kilometers under the title ‘have a fun with your family’ along with the participation of many institutions concerned with the environment, youth, women, human rights and peace. About 250 volunteers will work from the Scouts and Medical Relief Commission and the online platform for volunteers to secure the marathon and guide the participants, as well as the provision of eight beverage and water stations on the sides of the race roads.
Furthermore, The National Beverage Company continuously sponsors events and projects that support Palestinian youth and sports, within its vision of the need to strengthen these fields, empower youth and women, and promote health and sports projects. In addition, over the past years, the company prepared a number of different age’s teams in clubs, schools and women’s teams in football, basketball, equestrian and fencing, in implementation of its vision since its inception more than two decades ago.
